Rainy Nights

Rainy Nights: part 7

It had been a week since Elaine's fight with Emmie. Nothing much had been resolved. Elaine tried everything to get it through to Emmie that she was upset, except just telling her of course. Emmie wouldn't budge, she was too busy with her own life. Every time Elaine tried to tell her anything remotely serious, she would just brush it off, or tease her. That was just how Emmie was. Elaine put up with it for the most part, but even she had her limits. She was spending most of her time in the library, trying to be alone. Of course she knew that wouldn't fix anything, but she much rather sit in her own sadness than face any sort of confrontation.

Ethan on the other hand, acted like Elaine didn't exist at all. He sat next to her in class and they walked the same way home, but long gone were their friendly chats to pass the time. Every time Elaine saw him she would wave and say hello, but he never responded. He seemed normal enough with the rest of his friends.

"Elaine! Hold it up straight!" Cleo nagged.

Elaine snapped out of it and returned to holding up one of the banners for the Prom.

"You're always so distracted these days." Cleo said, taping one of the corners of the banner.

Cleo was one of the students helping with Prom preparations with Elaine. She was a sophomore that reminded Elaine of Emmie. Loud and proud, and just a little annoying.

"Sorry, it's a been a tiring week." Elaine said.

"I know what you mean." Cleo said, sticking down the last corner of the banner.

She climbed down from the ladder she had been standing on and stood back, admiring her work.

"Perfect." she said with a smile that showed off her braces.

She turned to Elaine. "So what's next?"

"Well," Elaine started, looking around. "The lights all need to be put up, but we need more people for that."

Her and Cleo were the only ones working in the auditorium that day, everyone else had or bailed or had other practices to go to. They stood around for a moment. The building was almost completely decorated now, it looked completely different to how it did in her dream.

"I'm gonna go check the closet for other decorations-"

Before Cleo could finish her sentence the auditorium doors suddenly burst open.

"Hey Elaine!" Emmie called out, Noah and Kai were with her.

Cleo's eyes lit up. "Noah!" she walked up to him. "What brings you here?" it was as if Emmie and Kai weren't even there.

"Just coming to check the place out." he said.

"You guys aren't allowed to be here." Elaine said.

Emmie frowned. "Come on, I'm your best friend," she grabbed Elaine's arm. "I'm always allowed."

"This place looks awesome." Kai commented, looking around.

Cleo giggled. "Thank you, we've been working really hard."

"It shows." Noah said.

Elaine managed to get free from Emmie's grasp. "If someone sees you guys we're gonna get into a lot of trouble." she said.

Cleo rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a buzzkill," she said. "It's not like they're vandalizing our hard work."

Elaine sighed. This was the last thing she needed right now.

"Fine, I'm going home anyway." she said.

"What do you mean?" Emmie pouted. "We came here to see you."